Forest fires persist in ignoring calendar

It may be November, but firefighters continue to battle several wildfires in the area, including a 2½-week-old blaze near Vallecito Reservoir.

The Vallecito Fire, believed to be lightning-caused, was burning mostly along the ground through dead and down trees, according to a news release issued Friday by the U.S. Forest Service.

No homes were considered threatened.

The blaze was first reported Oct. 16 west of Vallecito Reservoir in the San Juan National Forest.

It was burning within the perimeter of the 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire.

Firefighters have been unable to make a direct attack on the fire because of the steep terrain and danger of falling trees from the old burn area.

Instead, firefighters created a bulldozer line to protect homes and private property on Hummingbird Lane and Ho Hum Drive.

The fire was 25 percent contained as of Friday.

Fire activity increased Thursday afternoon, producing a 100-acre run up the head of Jack Creek drainage crossing the Endlich Trail and approaching the Weminuche Wilderness. It produced a vertical smoke column visible from the entire Pine River Valley.